Mail Fraud Accusations Surface In 2nd Ward Aldermanic Race
CHICAGO (WBBM) -- In the primary race for Chicago's 2nd aldermanic ward, allegations of mail fraud have surfaced against the incumbent, Madeline Haithcock.
WBBM's Debra Dale reports.
At a news conference today, Haithcock, joined by congressman Bobby Rush, vehemently denied any allegation of wrongdoing. She said any delays in the delivery of the campaign literature of her rivals were due to problems with the postal service.
Both the Unite HERE political action fund and the campaign of Democratic challenger Bob Fioretti claim that large numbers of their campaign brochures have been held up in the mail.
A spokesperson for the campaign of Haithcock opponent, Bob Fioretti, says they sent a complaint letter last month to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald alleging they had received anonymous accusations from postal workers that supervisors at one substation had ordered them to throw away some of Fioretti's mailings.
His campaign manager said the problems stopped after the letter, but that the campaign mailing that prompted the complaint has still never reached the homes in one zip code.
Unite HERE claims about $10,000 worth of campaign brochures against Haithcock got held up in the mail. It also claims that in a number of high-rises managed by Haithcock supporters, challenger's campaign mailings are not being delivered.
Gordon Haithcock, Madeline's husband, spent 41 years with the Postal Service, before retiring in 1989.
Ald. Haithcock faces five challengers in the Democratic primary. The 2nd Ward, which extends just south of the Loop and over to the West Side, has been experiencing a building boom and many new highrises in the last several years.
MarketWatch Media Columnist, Jon Friedman joins Sherman and Kris during the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss the big business of tiny bikinis for Sports Illustrated.
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Covers '55-'10
WBBM-AM 780 has been the consistent all news radio voice in Chicagoland for over 35 years and is now streaming online for free. Listen online to Chicago news as it happens around the clock, along with Chicago traffic, Chicago weather, Chicago sports and Chicago business. Subscribe to WBBM's free podcasts for additional Chicago business and Chicago community reports and listen to Chicago news on demand. WBBM news radio is also the home for Chicago Bears, Chicago Auto Show and Chicago Air & Water Show. www.wbbm780.com